sarah maclean's wicked and wallflower - so good - and the more it settles and I like it.
emma chase's - getting schooled - childhood to adult....i liked this one too!

got wicked pissed off at jamie the other day (last week?) I haven't been so mad at him in ages...and he actually had no idea why/how he'd pissed me off.
Basically we had plans, he made additional plans to play golf without telling me...and there I am at 6:30 all dressed up for a date night that we'd planned still waiting when he texts me "3 more holes to play". It blows my mind how even after all this time...
I was so pissed my voice was shaking...but we talked. I'm over it. still *smh*

Anyway - so I'm totally getting "involved" now - postcards and emails and training...and so I'm going to say this now (for in the future when I'm looking back). It's pretty hard to say you're "fringe" when you're handwriting postcards and nextdoor.comming  -- but I hope I don't lose sight of why I'm doing this. I'm holding steady at still being able to put myself in the shoes of "the other side" - even though it's certainly getting harder when it's as though many of them don't have any interest in reciprocating. Still....I think a big reason on how we got here is we've just have blinders on to our own thoughts.

we shall see

My mom on Friday was like - oh they're just saying the hurricane will swing through. We'll be back in school Wednesday....
umm no not so much mom...at least they haven't had to leave their house....
The local news inside their convention center was awful.
Don't know how Houston's gonna come back...at this point its almost like they shouldn't rebuild in some areas....it just keeps happening...

And so...seemingly already people are slowly but surely moving on...I guess if you don't know anyone in Houston it doesn't matter to them as much.. and there's only so much you can do right....I hope they're not forgetting though?...
and really, I think those of us in DFW should care a little more - it seems like we're fixin to get a whole lot of displaced people coming up our way with nothing but the clothes on their back...it's worrying.

Now another one's forming out in the Atlantic - and we're supposed to leave for Destin next weekend...we'll see.

In other news - SB4 - where someone that looks like me (or darker) and detained or arrested (or realistically at some points maybe even just be walking across the street)  can be asked for their "papers" and/or have their very presence questioned by local police officers. *shakingmydamnhead*- is supposed to go into effect Friday. On the plus side -  people texting and driving can also start to be fined starting Friday too. I believe....

Finished:
Only Enchanting (A Survivors' Club Novel Series Book 4) - Mary Balogh - i forget how...gentle? her books are. Didn't love them as a couple...but not bad. It is interesting the options widows had at that time.
Claiming Her SEAL (ASSIGNMENT: Caribbean Nights Book 1) - Kat Cantrell - yeah i think i'm kind of officially over military heroes books....and it's not cause of how the men are written...it's cause the women are annoying. I wonder if there's a military girl hero stories? That could be interesting.
Tangled (The Tangled Book 1) - Emma Chase - a re-read that i didn't remember much of...surprisingly cause I actually really liked them and the push/pull, hate/love dynamic. Super sexy times too whew...

today's been a long week

so much going on in the world.
(i've had this sentence as a draft for 3 days)
For lack of a better way to describe it - it looks like the simmering is starting to boil.

Also, I'm not quite sure why people are so shocked at the president's remarks and/or lack of empathy? It wasn't shocking to me...he's shown his colors already, long ago...

Finished
Singh's Silver Silence - much less angsty than her others...got a little irritated with the all the silly-ish bear references (if I'm being honest)
Reid's Beard in Mind - so i liked the uniqueness of it...I've not read a story that discusses real life issues like OCD.
EChase's - Ellie the little sister story - quick read.good.
Also watched Harlot's on Hulu - wonderful acting and really clicks on what I've only imagined in the historicals I've read.

Wrote on my fb groups, reached out to my reps, twitter is blowing up

and....and...really remarking on the books I've read and tv I've watch seems crass...but it helps me. So that's good....
I really wanted to end with a good recall from the past week but I'm weirdly kinda numb right now.
oh...dinner with friends tonight.

all was alright again

we got there just in time to see the last 1100 Springs song Thursday...
very few people were into them... so odd that one of the best country bands out there (IMO) have their best following/shows not in the suburbs (where we were) but way down in deep ellum dallas? 
Huge crowd for Stoney, and yes still surprising from" way back when" seeing him with 20 people in the crowd - speaking of...they were a definitely different crowd - not a lot of younger people - a whole lotta cougar/cross fit/tan gals and/or mommy looking types. Guess that's what happens in the suburbs.
I was wearing an old school JBS cap and he commented on it from the stage.
Super nice to have a $12 uber ride to/from this new venue...

Saturday - charlie's bar and went to dinner with the M's down in bishop arts - we went on to see charley crockett. Loved it. Good times. Fun times.
Wanted to go back to NOLA. Good for the soul. And all was alright again.

That gal - Nikki Hill - was good too -following her.


Finished:
The Governess Was Wicked - Julia Kelly - meh.
Beauty and the Mustache - Penny Reid - the sister of the six brothers. I liked what she did with this one. I'd kinda forgotten about her. I'll get the others. 
Shameless - Cherrie Lynn - short story...umm you over hear him and that's it?...it's just a little icky. 
Royally Raised - Emma Chase - short - i liked the look into the older them
The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo - Amy Schumer -  so i finished this one. yep I think if we took compatibility tests she and I would be highly matched. Since I've never had a one-night stand I'm glad she shared hers. That's the only good one I think I've ever heard. And of course she loves New Orleans...of course she does...(besides that weird doll obsession?) I'm just such a fan.  
Also, oddly the most interesting is just the basic stuff about growing up rich and poor in that part of the world. I know nothing about "living on top of people" or people that just live off their parents like how she described.

Surrounded by every food imaginable ....and I'm eating a Wendy's salad - (i had 3 donuts, 2 kolaches and pizza yesterday. oy...but hey we were in hangover recovery...)
I thought I'd be sad - salad makes me sad...but  I like how they cut the lettuce pieces small - trying to shove a piece of over-sized lettuce into your mouth just ruins everything.
ooo - just saw religious leaders are joining the lawsuit against SB4- right on!
 was a no-brainer to me...what took so long really?...
Beltre hit 3k
...it's the little things :)

forewarned and advised

not sure if it's a personal thing or just a normal "getting older" thing
but lord,
wives should be forewarned and advised how to handle roller-coaster husband's in their mid-40's....just saying.

Lessons learned though, sometimes it's just better to let it lie for a bit and then bring it up (for example) when you're in the drive-thru line at Dairy Queen, that maybe there are some issues.
But don't let it lie too long though!...cause then it's "huh? what are you talking about?" *lost-cause territory.* 
oy these delicate steps we must take in marriage. I guess I kinda just thought that it gets easier the longer you're together, and in a way it does, but getting older doesn't mean you don't change in some ways...so it's a constant adjustment too .... -  i'll leave it at that.

Saturday's impromptu date night was nice - the play was in a tiny venue (200 ppl?) - a humorous take on stereotyping/racism/borders/entitlement that they actually pulled off pretty well.
Again, it's nice to do stuff out of the "same old things" rut.

every major city in Texas is joining the lawsuit against SB4 that the governor signed into law.
I'm happy....well I'd be happy...
I just wish so much of our money wasn't being wasted on special sessions and lawsuits, Russia etc.
This is ridiculous.

Was on a Sarah MacLean re-read roll.
Finished Emma Chase novella - Sidebarred - entertaining quick one
Bought the new Christina Lauren - 25ish% in.....able to put it down, not bad though just not fully in it yet.

And so we reckless kelly - i still do

the livid and fun tipsy kind

So my sister texted on Friday -
a friends mom got pulled over for no obvious reason by Dallas ICE.
In Spanish, they asked her for her "papers".
In English, she responded "I have my driver's license and insurance, I'm assuming those are the "papers" you're referring to? And why was I pulled over?".

I'm livid - this keeps happening. Here. Down the street.

This is America yes? Land of the Free? Why the F is the federal government pulling people over for no valid reason, in Dallas no less?

The “devil” in me wants to look my most Mexican (meaning walk out the door), “steal” Jamie’s truck (cause I don’t think people would take my MINI as threatening enough) down the street to where they’re pulling people over, not show my ID and only speak Spanish in response to questions just to document all of this.

What bothers me too is Texas...my Texas as a state...is allowing all this. It's one thing to target undocumented criminals...it's a whole other thing to just be ok with native Texans being subjected to searches just because they "might be" illegal.....I guess we're not as independent as I thought? Tell ya what...my state pride gradually lessens daily here. *smh*

And so Friday night I posted a warning on my fb for people who look like me or darker to beware of getting singled out.

and then proceeded to get a little tipsy.

Our bartender's shift ended, we accepted his (and his girlfriends?) invitation to a restaurant bar across the street and so we spent another couple of hours talking with them
out longer than we meant to be out. (oy)
Still I like the impromptu  lengthy conversations with strangers. They're usually fun.

Of course, my (very republican and combative) cousin responded with his usual political mockery to my aforementioned FB post.

So through the night -  and since I was tipsy (and since it was on my own FB page) - I engaged in my cousins mockery with my (honest) playful responses.
After 60ish "comments" (70% of them being his ) he switched to memes and name-calling and so I thus, stopped engaging.
How boring and disappointing to degrade that way.
Boo. (didn't take away my buzz though!!!!)

Saturday Jamie and I basically recovered and went to M and S's going away dinner.
Georgia - I'd almost envy them if it wasn't so freaking humid hot....

Yesterday we recovered more, which means book therapy for me!
Finished:
Friction - Sawyer Bennett - law battle book...I mostly liked it!
Royally Matched - Emma Chase - this one, way lagged behind in chemistry than #1. Still liked it but just kinda disappointing.
Devil in Spring - Lisa Kleypas - lost character just a little in some cases (IMO) but refreshing. Good read.

So we Miranda Lambert's new one

It's cliche I know but seems apropos..

I woke up in a good mood and I'm not letting anybody ruin it. Today's going to be a good day.

Not sure what we're doing this weekend - maybe nothing - the next few weekends look jam packed.

I finished planning our Asheville Thanksgiving trip - I'm super excited, never been to that part of the country and I've always wanted to see the smokies - mountains are the best.

Finished Emma Chase's first Royal book - totally love the historical aspects merged with modern. The gal faded a little by the end, wanted a little more of the sass back but good though!
Almost finished Julia Quinn's Hyacinth's Bridgerton book - could totally see me in this gal. The (my) last and it'll make me sad to finish a great series.

Maybe I'll convince Jamie to see Max tomorrow...

"Let's just forget, leave it behind and carry on"

can't recall how many times I've heard "Hopefully, things will settle when the election is over...." lately.

yep.

we had dinner with one of jamie's old co-workers. Fun, smart, pretty gal about my age. She's tried match.com and other dating sites, dated a lot but can't find anyone in Phoenix.

I think she's getting frustrated.
It's surprising, cause most of the girls I know that are single are either
a) not really trying to find someone...or
b) there's something that's obvious (to me) why men might shy away - they're desperate, obsessive, condescending, high maintenance, needy...in several cases it might be because they have children)

But in this case it's none of the above - well as much as I can estimate, from my point of view, since I'm not a guy.

I wonder if it's because she's looking for (the impossible) "perfect guy" -  sabotaging herself?
I think a lot of people do that...and they say romance readers are unrealistic...read most any romance - the parts where the characters aren't perfect make the story! ugh

speaking of imperfect - apparently i shaved only one leg again this morning...why do I do that?!

Finished Susanna Ives - Wicked, my - i finished it. had potential. immature-ish. skipped. Stopping there.
Bout half way with the new Emma Chase - good so far!...we'll see. I still haven't bought the new Christina Lauren nor NSingh's new one nor Ward's Beast...- $4.99 just seems so much more do-able...

Diggin the new Norah Jones
And after all's been said and done
Who said it best, were you the one?
Let's just forget, leave it behind
And carry on

If you should find the time to speak
Then speak to me, I'd never keep
You from your final destiny
So carry on

Into the quiet I am bound
What you have lost, I've never found
I lost my nerve, yet peace surrounds
So carry on

Into the quiet I am bound
What you have lost, I've never found
I lost my nerve, yet peace surrounds
So carry on

And now that all's been said and done
Who said it best, were you the one?
Let's just forget, leave it behind
And carry on
Let's just forget, leave it behind
And carry on

fully realize i found a rare one

was introduced to a guy recently  (a crossfit-type looking guy)  - I reached over to shake his hand and he lightly shakes the tips of my fingers.
Gross! IT WAS SO GROSS!

It's easier and easier to find most men not attractive lately - especially the younger ones.

I honestly think that of all books I've read (the majority of them being romance) I have a good general idea of what women want from men.
Bottom line - they don't want men to act like boys *I'm being judge-y but this includes men who play video games as their main hobby

OR WORSE (and I unfortunatley have a plethora of recent examples to mark upon - but won't here)  women don't want men to act like stereotypical women - needy, whiny, drama, pushover

MEN - please read romance books (NOT 50 Shades of Grey!!!) - books like Emma Chase or Sara MacLean to get an idea of what women like.

Or shit, it doesn't have to be about women...it'd be a better world if men were more secure in themselves and manage themselves in general!!! What is going on!!! ugh.

I think I would be ok on my own - but seeing what's out there, I thank god I found Jamie. He's a rare one. I know this for a fact.

but wait  - SPEAKING OF MEN...  there's Denver!!
I found 2 roundtrip tix to Denver for the Rangers game in a few weeks for $178 on United!
woo - i love denver.

Last I was there, I noticed that men actually looked and acted like men.
No weak handshakes, no cocky know-it-alls, no plucked eyebrows

I hope it's not changed....(not that I'll be partaking - but STILL... I can look!) If I were single I woulda been all over that.

reading Nora Roberts Bay of Sighs - it's typical Nora Roberts.
Off to New Orleans tomorrow for a day trip with the husband!....oy it's gonna be hot.

voo doo, who'd do? and woo hoo!

tried Portland's Voodoo doughnuts that just opened in Austin and seriously - yum.
if that's any indication for what Portland puts out, I'm in trouble for trying to choose where to eat for the two days I'm there...

Wedding out in Fredericksburg was nice. It's nice to get out into the country and be. As far as the marriage goes, I hope it works out...and that's all I have to say about that.

Read Jane Ashford's Married to a Perfect Stranger - eh. The guy lead got on my nerves. He was insecure more than not - and I already see that too often in real life, don't need to read about it too. 

Is it me or are men getting more and more insecure? -  insecurity is such a turn off. 

I'd think I'd really struggle if I were single right now...it's just in my nature to push to see how far I can go and if a guy keeps letting me push AND insecure, that's definitely not one I'd want in any way...ugh no way.

With the exception of the aforementioned book, I think more men should read romance novels to get a clue. I really think it would help all parties.

Case in point - reading Emma Chase's Appealed was a good rebound - I forget how much I like her style - not my total favorite, there's still some parts where I think could've been edited - and again, do the people that make the covers not read the book? He has a beard!....ugh.
Still... glad I found a winner in entertainment value - wooo. 

baseball! and (most) y'all 90's babies

after a long hiatus this is gonna be a baseball trip year. Flights to Seattle and Minnesota (ballparks 13 &14?) to see my boys are booked.
Also gonna see  Portland (I picture a bunch a 20 something hipsters roaming around) but the food...oh the food! I can't wait.

Speaking of 20 somethings....it's so interesting watching those in my "sphere" -  I kinda want to tell them where I think they're going wrong. big sister style (with some fun gifs):

"don't stop talking/doing things with your friends now that you found a girl/boy friend. Those friends will save your ass when it goes to shit. (and at some point it will)"

"stop trying to be what you think an adult is. Really being an adult is boring and stressful. Just don't f up your credit score and you're good. "

"no you don't own misery. you don't know everything. And the world owes you nothing"

"saying "no" or "i can't" is a million times preferred over non-responsiveness that's become so popular in you jerk faces"

"yes i see he totally loves you but I don't see it on your end. You're wasting his (and your) time"

but well it wouldn't do any good if I said anything.
I know I probably wouldn't have listened....and really -  live and learn right?

thing is, (i'm generalizing here)  i'm not sure this up and coming generation handles set-backs the greatest...and it's like they feel too much or don't feel anything at all. 
Annnnd communication with every single one (of the ones I know) is strange...i swear it's like they have to process...normal conversation doesn't come naturally to them. They get going and feel comfortable and surprise you at how smart they are but then next time you see them the process starts again ...so strange, and fascinating and fun to witness! 

It's Friday and I'm just feelin eh...can't shake the sinus/cough stuff. Feelin a movie/book night comin on...Got new Emma Chase.
I watched the new Mad Max last night. huh? the old one was much better.....

And so i guess "90's baby" is my theme today cause I'm diggin this new "90's" Texas gal.

I'm not the hero in the story
I'm not the girl that gets the glory
Cause you're looking for true love
And I'm not the one
But I wish, but I wish I was

FOOD (love, wars and awkwardness)

read an article about "michelin star wars".  it was interesting.

made me think of us trying the 3 star Berasategui in San Sebastian.
honestly?...it didn't really do much for me...yeah I tasted things I never had before...like squid ink. And it certainly was an experience...very formal and sterile. The servers were on point.

But would I recommend it over say...Juanito Kojua in old town? No.

That's just me though - what do I know...I never said I was a food connoisseur.
I just like food.
(and Spain definitely = food = LoveLoveLOVE for me)

but back to Berasategui...
another thing was, I asked to go back into their kitchen so I could thank the chefs...

We got in there and those poor cooks looked terrified and totally exhausted.
I went in with my camera all like "hey guys! lets hug for food happiness!!"

and instead we backed out awkwardly (and as soon as possible) to help them not be so terrified instead.
That's def a memory in the awkward column for sure....

Finished The Shadows - so wow... yeah aside from getting a little story line/character convoluted, what she did was hard to do. I think she did it well. I'm still hangin on for sure. I saw that the Beast is next. I had doubts on her going back for the King so this time we'll see how she re-covers ground.

Also read Emma Chase's Sustained - maybe not the most believable to go so opposite but a good one!

Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada!!!

We're back from Las Vegas!
We did it a little different this time. We did some "grown folk" stuff.

Kayaking  - the Colorado river/dam water was sooo wonderfully cold for it being 100+ outside -  it was work, two miles upstream - my shoulders were aching in the first 20 minutes. You get used to it though!...Not sure I'll kayak again? but I enjoyed it overall.

and taking the helicopter tour was great...perhaps even better if it hadn't been so hot...but still! (even with the sticker shock for the helicopter fee).. for a once in a lifetime experience The Grand Canyon was AMAZING!

 

The food was wonderful, the secreto at Jaleo was as good as we remember. Mesa Grill's cactus margarita, tamale were better than I remember. We also tried the hidden pizza place and China Poblano at the Cosmo. I'm not the biggest fan of the fusion food thing but China Poblano was interesting. I for sure liked the mexican tacos. And now with this second stay at the Cosmo I again confirm this is the best hotel to stay in on the strip.

We saw MANY of the sterotypical drunk, partially clothed, mid-20's folk everywhere. It's kind of a rite of passage though...you just have to shake your head with a reminiscent smile.

I must say that going with a small 12-ish? group does add to the experience. We took over a couple black jack tables and it makes for fun time when we went on a good run. I'm glad we got them to see downtown too...much less expensive than the strip.

We went to  Hyde at the Bellagio, and sure enough, it was a super awesome view of the fountains. Much better than seeing them from the outside.

I think my luck has officially run out in LV...I didn't win anything, damn you Wheel of Fortune - *shakes fist* - but I went in with the expectation that I probably wouldn't, so the few "free spins" I got were great fun!

And so yep yet again I got super tired, very full and a little tipsy - classic Las Vegas staples for me -

With this go, it was likely our last time to LV, NV. We've seen/done everything we wanted to do.
Bye Bye!! (well...until maybe the next time a smallish group of friends/family go again ;0) ) 

I read Emma Chase's new one Overruled , a good one! made me want to slap him upside the head a few times though for his total unawareness. Again I think she's the closest I've read to how I think men sometimes actually think. I also like the dual POV .

And now re-reading Gena Showalter's Burning Dawn - I forgot how much I liked this one!

my rt15 recap & stragglers

Wow these last few days!!

Thursday
Went to the RT convention

• Pictionary with a whole buncha authors I've never heard of. Wanna know why? Cause it was an inspy authors! Christian, and Amish and the like. HA! Still...I'm not going to knock it. A good story's a good story. I'll give the books a go...why not!
• Next was a group of panelists at the other end of the spectrum - they called it the "Art of Funny Smut" Christina Lauren, Clayton, Chase and Probst. Pretty sure I've read all of them. All were really funny. I like their books and like them more now seeing who wrote them. Apparently event coordinators underestimated their draw cause there were way too many people in the small room and it was hot (not in a good way)!
• YA Fantasy - Cremer, Lu, Aguirre, Pierce, Westerfeld- I've read Lu's Legend and Westerfelds Uglies. It does make it better if you've read what they're talking about. I'm certainly more interested in Andrea Cremer just by hearing what she has to say though. It's on the list. 
• Paranormal - JClare, KCole, CHarris, DJones and GShowalter - This was the one I was most excited about as Kresley is my favorite. This was a great panel. I tried reading Harris's Sookie books but lost interest. I might try her again just cause she was hilarious. And good to know that Kresley never responds to any fan mail. She's very busy. I think she maybe could've said it a little differently? cause I think she might've offended some? I get it though.  
• Ended with Eloisa James, Sylvia Day and DJones - I love EJames books and learned interesting tidbits, both SDay and DJones were interesting...it's just by this time I think everyone was just straight up tired.  

I think I'd go for one day (maybe two?) again. It's worth going. I just don't see myself going for a week! I was beat by the end of just that day. 

Friday

I had a shit day at work so was totally in a drinking mood. We uber'd to see Jason Boland. He was awesome as always (his hair's gone gray? how'd that happen?)  but it turns out there's no uber to pick us up where we are when he's done!
Jamie finds a couple who's fine with us sharing their cab. It turns out they're from Arkansas and like to talk just as much as we do so we essentially kidnap them to our house. Next thing we know it's 3:30 in the morning and we have basic strangers staying with us in our guest room. 

Saturday

We take our new friends to breakfast and  back to their hotel with the promise to visit them when we head their way.

 I really thought I'd try to make it to the RT Fan day, but this was me all day yesterday instead:

So yep I've run the gamut of new memories/experiences these last couple of days - either way I'd say I've totally lived - it was quite grand. 

i'm out now though...chores and stuff.

Would you want to be pitied?

Today is my friend/co-worker's birthday
We took a page from the "10 Things I Hate About You" movie and gave her a "hate" poem.
She loved it. Score!

She's fighting breast cancer. When she told us - they all hugged her and made the pity sounds.

I waited a bit, went to her office and told her "This f'ing sucks. I'm not going to hug you. Let me know if you need anything." (or something like that) and walked away.

Not so very sympathic no. But you know what? She liked my reaction best. This makes me happy.
She says she's so tired of the pity party and everyone coddling her and I totally get that. Why can't people try to put themselves in that persons shoes?

Would you want to be pitied? I can't think of many things worse then that personally...

I'm reading Emma Chase's Tangled series - 1 and 3 are told from the male perspective. It's fun to see a opposite ...and in some instances pretty spot on (based on past personal experience) point of view.

And since I'm in an old-school country music sound mood - Jason Boland is doing it for me today.
Blows my mind that he listens to Anthrax (or somesuch thrash metal craziness) but plays this kind of music that harkens back to Don Williams.
Again I'm digging the dichotomy...

It took awhile at least for me
to live enough until I believed
In none of what I heard and less than half of what I saw